How to Upcycle Christmas Ornaments with Milk Paint
, by Ryan Casuga, 3 min reading time
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by combining creativity, sustainability, and festive cheer?
Leah Cook of Sandpaper and Wax Design shares a delightful and eco-friendly project: upcycling old Christmas ornaments using the versatile and beautiful medium of milk paint.
Why Recycle Christmas Ornaments?
Every year, countless Christmas decorations are discarded, contributing to unnecessary waste. With Leah’s tutorial, you can give new life to old, mismatched, or just plain "ugly" ornaments. Not only does this project reduce waste, but it also lets you customize your holiday decor to perfectly match your style and color scheme.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Old Christmas Ornaments: Glass or plastic balls work well. Avoid using vintage mercury glass ornaments—they're too valuable!
-
Amy Howard at Home Milk Paint: A variety of colors to mix and play with. Recommended colors include:
- Party in the Grove (a rich green)
- Debutante (a soft pink)
- Herb Garden (a muted green)
- Linen Apron (a warm neutral)
- Bauhaus Buff (a great base color)
- Milk Paint Binder: Ensures paint adheres to non-porous surfaces like glass or plastic.
- Clean Slate: For prepping ornaments by removing fingerprints, tree sap, or residue.
- Chip Brushes: Use smaller brushes for intricate details and larger ones for full coverage.
- Sea Sponges: Great for creating textured and blended effects.
- Mixing Cups and Pipettes: For experimenting with color combinations and controlling paint application.
- Heat Gun or Hair Dryer: To speed up the drying process (be cautious with plastic ornaments!).
- Glass Beads (optional): For adding sparkle and texture to your designs.
- Palette Knife: To apply beads smoothly.
- Amy Howard Glazed Over: Perfect for creating a subtle, elegant sheen or adding mica powder accents.
- Wax and Dust of Ages: To give ornaments an antique or vintage look.
The Process:
- Prep Your Ornaments: Use Clean Slate to thoroughly clean the ornaments, removing any residue or old adhesives.
- Base Coat: Apply a coat of Bauhaus Buff or your chosen base color using a chip brush. For full coverage, let the first coat dry and apply a second if needed.
- Mix and Experiment: Create custom colors by mixing milk paint. Don’t forget to write down your recipes to replicate your favorite shades!
- Layer and Play with Color: Use a sponge or brush to add layers of color, blending for a marbleized effect or creating subtle monochromatic designs.
- Add Details: Use a pipette to apply lighter or darker accents, and blend with a negative tool (like a damp sponge).
- Decorate with Beads: Apply glass beads using a palette knife for added texture and dimension. Spread beads thinly to ensure a translucent finish.
- Finish with Wax or Glaze: Seal your ornaments with wax or add a shimmer with Glazed Over mixed with mica powders.
Final Thoughts:
Upcycled ornaments are not only a joy to create, but they also make thoughtful, personalized gifts. Whether you’re decorating your tree, enhancing a garland, or adding unique touches to gift wrapping, these ornaments are sure to impress. Best of all, you’ve saved them from the landfill and given them a brand-new life!
This season, let’s celebrate creativity, sustainability, and the beauty of milk paint. As Leah says, “Turn those forgotten ornaments into treasures that will last for years to come!”
Happy holidays and happy creating! 🎄✨
